Slo-Trans
Encyclopedia
Slo-Trans is a fictional engine
in Stephen King's
The Dark Tower
series. In the novels, the engine is part of a class of technology built by the Old Ones, a technologically sophisticated people whose culture no longer exists.
Like many artifacts of the Old Ones, the Slo-Trans engine was designed by North Central Positronics
, a technology company seeking to find means to replace immortal magical phenomenon with quantifiable technological substitutes, thus leading to much of the world's strife.
and could run between 4 and 6 hours at full output. The engines were initially charged in its home station (or cradle), and could be charged along the route at various locations such as The Falls of the Hounds.
The only confirmed functioning monorail was Blaine the Mono
(see The Waste Lands and Wizard and Glass). Since Blaine had been operating since the time of the Old Ones, he had detailed knowledge of history and the technology that powered him. He explained that Slo-Trans technology was nearly immortal, expected to last several million years. In his case, and possibly due to the degradation of the fabric of the entire world, the engines were beginning to falter after only a few thousand years (thus dating the end of his creators' civilization). His information was suspect as he was clearly deranged.
Blaine was one of two monorails found by the Ka-tet to be stationed in the city of Lud
. An unnamed mono is mentioned in Black House as well, after Jack rescues Tyler Marshal.
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
in Stephen King's
Stephen King
Stephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books...
The Dark Tower
The Dark Tower (series)
The Dark Tower is a series of books written by American author Stephen King, which incorporates themes from multiple genres, including fantasy, science fantasy, horror and western. It describes a "Gunslinger" and his quest toward a tower, the nature of which is both physical and metaphorical. King...
series. In the novels, the engine is part of a class of technology built by the Old Ones, a technologically sophisticated people whose culture no longer exists.
The Engine
Though its actual means of operation are never discussed, the engine was apparently quite versatile and its hum is frequently mentioned as being heard in places which used large amounts of power. These include castles, transport systems and the base station of the bear cyborg Shardik. It is implied that the sound of the engine was both recognizable and persistent over a distance.Like many artifacts of the Old Ones, the Slo-Trans engine was designed by North Central Positronics
North Central Positronics
North Central Positronics or NCP is a fictional corporation in Stephen King's The Dark Tower series.-Fictional history:North Central Positronics appears in multiple works of Stephen King, in the Dark Tower series and related works...
, a technology company seeking to find means to replace immortal magical phenomenon with quantifiable technological substitutes, thus leading to much of the world's strife.
Use by the Monorail System
Among other things, these very powerful engines were used to rapidly transport passengers over long distances. A monorail system employing Slo-trans engines was found which ran on batteriesBattery (electricity)
An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Since the invention of the first battery in 1800 by Alessandro Volta and especially since the technically improved Daniell cell in 1836, batteries have become a common power...
and could run between 4 and 6 hours at full output. The engines were initially charged in its home station (or cradle), and could be charged along the route at various locations such as The Falls of the Hounds.
The only confirmed functioning monorail was Blaine the Mono
Blaine the Mono
Blaine the Mono is a fictional character appearing in the books The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands and The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass of Stephen King's Dark Tower series....
(see The Waste Lands and Wizard and Glass). Since Blaine had been operating since the time of the Old Ones, he had detailed knowledge of history and the technology that powered him. He explained that Slo-Trans technology was nearly immortal, expected to last several million years. In his case, and possibly due to the degradation of the fabric of the entire world, the engines were beginning to falter after only a few thousand years (thus dating the end of his creators' civilization). His information was suspect as he was clearly deranged.
Blaine was one of two monorails found by the Ka-tet to be stationed in the city of Lud
Lud (city)
Lud is a fictional city in Stephen King's Dark Tower series and is briefly mentioned in Rose Madder. In The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands, the book's protagonists, led by the gunslinger Roland, travel from Lud to an alternate reality version of Topeka, Kansas via a supersonic monorail called...
. An unnamed mono is mentioned in Black House as well, after Jack rescues Tyler Marshal.